York Vikings Under-13s basketball team returned full of pride from a triangular series of matches in the North East.

The seven-player squad lost their opening game against Gateshead Tornadoes but came back strongly to notch an impressive victory over Leeds Carnegie.

The Vikings began their match against Gateshead in the ascendancy, defending strongly to establish an 8-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Nick Ross produced a fine piece of play in the second quarter, dribbling the length of the court before scoring with a lay-up to maintain the Vikings’ momentum.

Gateshead came back strongly after half-time and dominated the third quarter to lead by 14 points going into the final period.

Clever rebounding and accurate shooting from Alex Tuddenham saw the Vikings notch 13 points in the final quarter but it wasn’t enough to stop Gateshead, who scored 14 points of their own to win 48-33.

Coach David Walsh was full of praise for his youngsters.

He enthused: “It was great to see them pick themselves up again and come back strongly in the final quarter. This team is developing all the time.”

The Vikings fared much better in their second match against Leeds.

Despite only having a ten-minute break from the previous game, York started quickly and gained a 10-0 lead after the first quarter.

Leeds countered strongly and at the mid-point of the third quarter had a three-point lead. Despite looking tired, the Vikings reacted with determination, putting together an eight-point run to regain the lead.

The York team then turned on the style, Joe Foxton taking his tally to 27 points in a one-sided final quarter which sealed a 51-31 triumph.

Said captain Hayley Dodsworth: “When Leeds edged ahead it looked as if the game might start to slip away from us, but we stayed together strongly as a team and worked through it.”

Meanwhile, York Vikings U14s secured victories in two National League fixtures to guarantee top spot.

The team dominated their opening game against Thirsk Thunder, running in an unanswered 45 points en route to an emphatic 84-10 victory. Callum Saxon top-scored for the Vikings with 19 points, and every player got on to the scoresheet.

The team’s second encounter against Sheffield Junior Sharks was a much closer affair.

Oliver Harris got the Vikings off to a good start, scoring seven points to give his team an 11-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Sharks responded with a six-point run but York held firm and regained their seven-point lead by half-time.

Both teams were producing an entertaining, end-to-end match and the game was delicately poised going into the final quarter.

York, though, showed their class to score five further baskets and seal a 44-35 victory.

Coach Mark Gunn was proud of the way his players performed.

“It was a great win for us,” he said.

“Everyone did the job expected of them, and did it well against a very talented Sheffield side.”